Let's Call Her Barbie

Praise

“What a fresh and fun take on Barbie lore! Let’s Call Her Barbie pulls off a feat: while digging deep into the history behind America’s favorite doll, it’s also a clever and satisfying exploration of creativity, feminism, and what it truly means to make art. And although the movie and the book are unrelated in this case, and the movie was fantastic… you know what they always say about the book being better.”
—Shelby Van Pelt, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Remarkably Bright Creatures

“Think you know Barbie? Think again, in this delightful, fast-paced, compassionate, and well-researched story, Renee Rosen skillfully takes everything you think you know and turns it on its head, telling us the real story of the feisty, strong, original woman who created America’s most loved and most hated doll. Choose this one for your book club if you want the conversation to flow. I promise you everyone will want to talk about this excellent and fascinating book.”
—Elizabeth Letts, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Ride of Her Life

“The story of how Barbie came to be is as iconic as the doll herself. Renee Rosen’s research and deft writing bring Barbie – and those who brought her into the world – to vivid pink life and make Let’s Call Her Barbie a riveting read for anyone who loves historical fiction, strong women (real and otherwise), Barbie the doll, Barbie the movie, or stories about the American dream. As an avid lover and collector of Barbies – at a time when society often looked as harshly at me as it once did the doll – this story spoke to my heart and spirit and made me love my beloved Barbies even more. The first must-read of 2025! It’s DOLL-ing!”
—Viola Shipman, USA Today bestselling author of The Page Turner

“Bold. Tenacious. Resolute. Renee Rosen’s Let’s Call Her Barbie vividly brings to life the incredible journey of Ruth Handler, the woman behind the iconic doll. Through impeccable research and masterful storytelling, Rosen captures Handler’s fierce determination and the challenges she faced as a woman breaking barriers in a male-dominated world. Impossible to put down, this is a riveting portrayal of a flawed yet awe-inspiring visionary. I thought I knew Barbie’s story, but Rosen’s unflinching portrayal of the doll’s meteoric rise, and the players behind it, proves there’s much more to this tale. An absolute must-read.”
—Karma Brown, #1 international bestselling author of What Wild Women Do

“Renée Rosen’s novel about the creators of the Barbie doll is inspired and brilliant. This is a tale of driven personalities who won’t take no for an answer, of the obstacles that faced women in business in the mid-20th century, and of the complex relationships between creatives working in a team. As a former Barbie girl myself, I was riveted!” 
—Gill Paul, international bestselling author of Scandalous Women

“Rosen vividly portrays her characters and deftly balances covering both the highs and lows of their personal lives and the professional challenges that arise along the way, from designing the first Dreamhouse to responding to criticism…With cultural interest in Barbie still sky high, this novel is a great choice for historical fiction readers interested in strong, complex women, both in and out of the toy aisle.”
—Library Journal (starred review)

“A fictional retelling of Barbie’s origin story, from Ruth’s first brainstorm until she leaves Mattel in the 1970s, Rosen’s novel is infused with pathos and wit.” 
—Kirkus

“As the narrative stretches into the 1970s, Rosen fleshes out intriguing subplots involving the Barbie fashion team, including designer Charlotte Johnson. Barbie fans will delight in Rosen’s epic reimagining of the doll’s origin story.”
—Publishers Weekly